Ingredients

• 8 1/2 oz. (225 ml) water, warm (120ºF/49ºC)
• 1/2 oz. (15 g) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (225 ml) sourdough starter (recipe follows)
• 1 lb. (450 g) flour
• 1 Tbs. (15 ml) salt
• 1 egg white, beaten

For the Sourdough Starter:

• 1 lb. (450 g) grapes, stemmed
• 12 oz. (340 g) bread flour
• water, as needed

Preparation

1. In a glass measuring cup, sprinkle the dry yeast onto the surface of 4 tablespoons of the warm water and allow to stand until it becomes foamy.
2. In a bowl, combine the rest of the water with the sourdough starter.
3. Add 1 cup of the flour.
4. Stir until the dough starts to form and then add the yeast mixture.
5. Mix for 5 minutes.
6. Add the remaining flour and the salt.
7. Knead the dough until it is soft and elastic, 10 minutes or more.
8. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place (ca. 80ºF/27ºC to 90ºF/32ºC) until doubled.
9. Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf on a greased and corn-meal dusted sheet pan.
10. Let the loaf rise in a warm place, covered with a damp cloth, until it has doubled in size.

Brush the loaf with beaten egg white and score the top of the loaf in a criss-cross pattern with a sharp knife.

1. Bake at 450ºF (230ºC) with a pan of boiling water under the oven rack for 10 minutes.
2. Reduce the oven temperature to 375ºF (190ºC), remove the water and continue baking until the bread is well browned, ca. 35 - 45 minutes.
3. Cool on a rack.